League of Revolutionary Black Workers facts for kids

The League of Revolutionary Black Workers (LRBW) was a group formed in 1969 in Detroit, Michigan. It brought together several smaller groups called Revolutionary Union Movements (RUMs). These RUMs were growing quickly in car factories and other industries. Many Black workers were employed in these industries in Detroit during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The League aimed to create a stronger political group. It was guided by ideas of freedom for Black people and a type of Communism called Marxism-Leninism. Their goal was to gain political power and speak up for the specific concerns of Black workers. Even though the League was active for only a short time, it was very important. It showed the growing determination and political action of Black workers. This happened during a time of big changes in the Black liberation and Marxist-Leninist movements in the United States.

Why the League Was Created

Many things led to the creation of this revolutionary Black workers' movement. These included social and political changes in the 1950s and 1960s. A key factor was the strong feeling of rebellion among Black people in Detroit and across the U.S. Black workers in Detroit were also becoming more politically aware.

The Detroit Uprising of 1967

The 1967 Detroit riot was one of the largest and most intense uprisings in U.S. cities between 1964 and 1968. Young Black working-class people led the Detroit uprising. Some of them were learning about Marxism-Leninism and using these ideas in their actions. Many future leaders of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers were involved. This included John Watson, who started a radical newspaper called "The Inner City Voice" in September 1967. He began publishing it after the uprising was put down.

Challenges in Trade Unions

The conditions of trade unions in Detroit, especially in the car industry, also played a big role. During World War II, many Black workers were hired due to a shortage of workers. They worked mostly in the car industry. The main union was the United Auto Workers (UAW). However, most Black workers felt that the union's white leaders did not represent them. They felt the union ignored their growing concerns in the car industry.

So, the social and working conditions for many Black workers were getting worse. They were concentrated in the car industry, with a union that didn't truly represent them. At the same time, these workers had a growing spirit of determination and revolutionary ideas. These conditions were perfect for a working-class movement to form. This movement would directly involve Black workers and fight for their interests.

How the League Formed

The League of Revolutionary Black Workers started with a wildcat strike on May 2, 1968. A wildcat strike is one that is not approved by the main union. This strike happened at the Dodge Main factory. Workers organized it because the production lines were sped up. Both Polish women workers and Black workers led the strike. However, Black workers faced most of the punishment afterwards. Seven people, including five Black workers, were fired. Only two, General G. Baker Jr. and Bennie Tate, were not rehired later.

The Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM)

After the strike, nine workers from the plant became close with the editors of "The Inner City Voice." They decided to form the first Revolutionary Union Movement, called the Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM). DRUM workers and the newsletter editors started a newsletter inside the factory. It had the same name, "DRUM." The newsletter aimed to raise political awareness among Black workers. It also highlighted their main concerns. The newsletter criticized the working conditions, the factory bosses, and the UAW leadership.

One of DRUM's biggest actions was another wildcat strike on July 7, 1968. This strike focused on working conditions and the UAW's failure to represent Black workers. The rally and strike brought together Black community groups and white activist organizations. DRUM leaders considered it a success. After this, DRUM organized many other successful actions against the Chrysler factory bosses and the UAW.

Growth of Revolutionary Union Movements

After DRUM's success, other revolutionary union movements started forming in 1968 and early 1969. These included the Ford Revolutionary Union Movement (FRUM) and Eldon Avenue Revolutionary Union Movement (ELRUM). Both groups carried out strong actions against their factory bosses and the UAW. RUMs also spread beyond the car industry. They appeared among United Parcel Service workers (UPRUM), health workers (HRUM), and Detroit News workers (NEWRUM).

As more RUMs formed across Detroit, it became clear that a more organized group was needed. This group would lead the growing movement among Black auto workers. In June 1969, the League of Revolutionary Black Workers was officially formed. "The Inner City Voice" became its official newspaper.

How the League Was Organized

The League quickly grew to about 80 main members. It had a seven-person executive committee. This committee included General Baker, Kenneth Cockrel, Mike Hamlin, Luke Tripp, John Watson, John Williams, and Chuck Wooten.

Even though the League had a shared main idea, members had different thoughts on the best ways to achieve their goals.

Focus on In-Plant Organizing

One main idea was strongly supported by General Baker and Chuck Wooten. This group believed that organizing workers inside the factories was most important. They wanted to create new revolutionary union movements as the main goal. Other tasks were seen as less important.

The League's constitution showed this idea clearly:

We must act swiftly to help organize DRUM type organizations wherever there are Black workers, be it in Lynn Townsend's kitchen, the White House, White Castle, Ford Rouge, the Mississippi Delta, the plains of Wyoming, the mines of Bolivia, the rubber plantations of Indonesia, the oil fields of Biafra, or the Chrysler plant in South Africa.

Building Community Connections

Another idea in the League focused on building ties with the community. This was called the "out-of-plant" approach. Mike Hamlin, John Watson, and Ken Cockrel were key supporters of this idea. They believed it was just as important to connect with students, community groups, and white activists. They felt that communities and students were vital in supporting the factory workers. They also saw media, like films and newspapers, as important tools. These tools could educate workers and build a movement against capitalism.

Developing Political Awareness

The third idea was held by Luke Tripp and John Williams. They tried to find a middle ground between the other two ideas. Tripp and Williams mainly focused on helping everyone understand political ideas better. This included League supporters outside the plants and workers inside the RUMs. They worried that other leaders might try to expand the League too quickly. They believed that small, social political meetings with workers, students, and community members were key. These meetings would help build a strong revolutionary working-class movement.

Black Workers Congress

A split in the League began in 1970. This led to the creation of the Black Workers Congress. This new group made a strong impression at its first meeting. However, it mostly existed "on paper" and eventually faded away. Many members of the Black Workers Congress left due to disagreements about ideas and priorities. There were also problems between organizing inside factories, community activism, and the role of thinkers.

The Easter Purges

In April 1971, events known as "the Easter Purges" took place. During a meeting, John Williams said there were disagreements about the League's goals. Some members wanted to build a Black Vanguard Party (a leading political party). Others wanted a multi-racial Vanguard Party. Some thought League members should run for public office. And some believed the League should create "soviets" (workers' councils) in the factories.

Several members were removed from the League during this time. These included Modibo Kadalie, Ernie "Mkalimoto" Allen, Loren "Imara Hyman" Small, Sonny Hyman, Zondalin Hyman, Shola Akintolaya, and Makeba Jones. These people were fighting for more democracy within the League. They had different ideas, including Maoism (a type of communism), Black Nationalism, and a dislike for sexism. They also believed in a type of direct democracy. They were resisting the increasing control by the main leaders of the League.

The Communist League

According to a book called Detroit, I Do Mind Dying, the split within the League of Revolutionary Black Workers became public on June 12, 1971. By early 1972, the remaining members of the League planned to join a group called the Communist League. This meant the League of Revolutionary Black Workers became a part of history.

When the Communist League and a part of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers merged, the Communist League gained many Black industrial workers. These workers knew about the writings of Marx, Lenin, and Mao. Some believe the Communist League might have had more Black, Chicano, and women leaders than almost any other communist group in American history.

In Detroit, the Communist League worked with the Motor City Labor League (MCLL). The MCLL had also experienced a split. One part of the MCLL joined the Communist League. This combined group then launched nationally as the Communist Labor Party in 1974. Another part of the MCLL joined the group that had split from the old League of Revolutionary Black Workers. For example, activist Frank Joyce joined the former group. Shelia Murphy, who later won many elections as a Councilperson in Detroit, joined the latter. She later married Kenneth Cockrel, a leader of the group that did not join the Communist League.

The Communist League, and later the Communist Labor Party, believed their unique idea was "The Negro National Colonial Question." This was a book by Nelson Peery, first published in 1972. In 1976 and 1978, the Communist Labor Party ran "Vote Communist" campaigns. They ran General Baker Jr. for State Representative in Michigan. They continued to work with the CPUSA (Communist Party USA) until 1993. Then, they disbanded and formed a new group called the League of Revolutionaries for a New America.